Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick’s choice of goalkeeper for the club’s meeting with Benfica has cost his side dear this evening.
Barca, of course, are currently locked in action on the continent.
With sights on a return to winning ways following a disappointing weekend stalemate with Getafe, the Blaugrana have made the trip to Portugal, for a meeting with Benfica.
As things stand in Lisbon, though, the visitors find themselves headed towards another altogether underwhelming result.
This comes with Benfica in possession of a 3-1 lead.
And one headline member of Barcelona’s squad has proven himself an altogether unwanted contributor towards as much.
Restored to his place between the posts on Tuesday, Wojciech Szczęsny was responsible for mistakes for both Benfica’s 2nd and 3rd goals.
Reintroduced in place of Iñaki Peña owing to his superior experience on the continent, Szczęsny’s lack of consistent game-time has been laid bare.
First, midway through the first-half, the Pole came charging out of his penalty area in needless fashion, colliding with Alejandro Balde, and in the process opening the door for Vangelis Pavlidis to slot into an empty net.
Then, less than 10 minutes later, he flew off his goalline once more, this time round giving away a penalty which was subsequently dispatched by hat-trick hero Pavlidis.
An evening to forget thus far for both Szczęsny, and Hansi Flick…
Conor Laird – GSFN
